According to a report, a US official says that drone strikes have been put “on hold” because there is a fear that attacks may further deteriorate ties between the two countries and may push them “past the point of no return.”

“We may strike soon if an extremely high value target pops up, but otherwise there is hesitation to pull the trigger right now.”

Shamsi airbase was being used by the US to target suspected militants affiliated with al Qaeda and the Taliban operating in Pakistan’s tribal areas, using unmanned drones armed with missiles.

Relationships between the two countries deteriorated when US Navy SEALs landed in Abbottabad on May 2 and killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers in Mohmand Agency by Nato troops last month also brought anger and contempt from authorities in Pakistan.